The Institute is a unique organization that has brought together Russian and foreign researchers and practitioners, politicians and public figures, parents and specialists. It is their personal contribution that has helped our Institution to take the leading position in the field of Early intervention both in Russia and abroad.

"... Childhood is not a preparation for life, but life itself, the child is not the future person, not "underdeveloped adult ", for whom we are responsible, but a person to whom we answer."

Françoise Dolto

WE TEACH WHILE LEARING OURSELVES

Our own experience of learning allowed us to formulate the basic principles for training specialists who start their work in early intervention.

The idea of the early intervention is very simple - the earlier you start helping the child, the more effective you will be.

Modern scientific research shows the critical value of the first two or three years in a child's development and the role of the family, of the relationships with the mother and other relatives, of the early experiences and the social environment in shaping the personality of the child and the development of his/her brain.

Assessment of the children's level of development

Assessment is carried out using normalized KID and RCDI scales.

Methods of assessing the level of development of children during the first years of life are based on the comparison of the parents' observations of the behavior of the child with the statistically based standards.

It is designed for the early identification of children with developmental delays and working out recommendations for helping children and tracking related dynamics.

Conference

International Society on Early Intervention, in conjunction with St. Petersburg State University, is planning an international conference organized in the city of St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. Our major goal is to integrate and share the experience and information accumulated with respect to early intervention to promote the development and mental health of infants and young children in families and in institutions. Knowledge of optimal family systems of support can be especially valuable in informing strategies designed to promote child development in a range of care settings. We also plan to provide sessions that consider the complexity surrounding the implementation of early childhood programs during a period of major political, economic, and social transitions in this part of the world.

Topics and Proposals

We are now seeking proposals for this conference scheduled to be held July 1-3, 2013. Papers can range widely and include program descriptions, training activities, and research. Of special interest are presentations on children's rights, the influence of the family environment, effects of alternative care environments, and the mental health of children at social risk. Presentations related to detection, assessment, classification, inclusion, peer relations, and mental health issues for children and families are also welcome.